Comments on: Can You Hear Me Now? New Radio System Could Cost Escambia $12.5 Million

By: Taylor

Taylor — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:00:05 +0000

Interestingly enough, the county doesn’t plan to go out to bid this with other radio vendors either- who do have the same technology! Motorola gets another sole source by offering prices on another state contract. Sneaky little devils. Wouldn’t a TRULY competitive bid SAVE the taxpayers of Escambia County more $$$?????

By: sandra

sandra — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:30:34 +0000

How much would it cost to collect a bunch of tin cans and link them together with string? That would be green technology at its finest and cheap to boot.

By: Just An Old Soldier

Just An Old Soldier — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:09:28 +0000

William,

You’re the reason I even heard about it, because my wife was in the back yard gardening, and hanging clothes (not near the radio). I checked your website before I went to work in Pensacola, and called her right away about the danger!

Thanks so much for what you’re doing here!!! Big KUDOS to you!

By: William

William — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:53:19 +0000

>> Remember that murder suspect running around UWF? I do, and we didn’t hear about it on the News until that evening.

Actually, NorthEscambia.com had “live” updates on it and I believe the PNJ did eventually. This is why the media is pushing for an unencrypted ECSO frequencies or access to the encryption. We rely on live information for live coverage.

Otherwise, we will have to wait for a press release to tell you that a manhunt is on in your neighborhood for a murderer.

By: Just An Old Soldier

Just An Old Soldier — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:50:16 +0000

Sheriff Morgan,

I support you in most all your efforts, but that comment about only the “good people” monitoring puts a burr under my saddle.

As a combat vet, I understand the use of encryption on the Battlefield – keeps the “enemy” from gathering intel on combat action. But we are not on a battlefield. This is America not the Battlefield.

I live in a rural area, and I listen to the ECSO traffic so I can be aware of any potential danger – this usually doesn’t get reported by the News folks until it’s too late. Remember that murder suspect running around UWF? I do, and we didn’t hear about it on the News until that evening.

Don’t get ino that “Us vs. Them” mindset. We support you. But I question the value of spending so much money on a system that will decrease your communication capability with nearby counties, and more importantly, their Citizens.

We the People, Sheriff. We the People.

By: Woogeroo

Woogeroo — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:30:06 +0000

Why don’t they just use cell phones?

-W

By: NO-EARS

NO-EARS — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:22:26 +0000

State of Florida,along with various Florida county agencies
use the 800mhz M/A COMM-EDACS radio system…I.E.
Florida Highway Patrol uses M/A COMM P7100 ip portable
radios..99% of these agencies radios are equipped with
EDACS- AES (Advanced Encryption Standards) and ESK
(prevents unauthorized users from programming or
accessing the system)…= public safety radio scanners
owners can not hear the communications…One of the
latest newest technology radio scanners on the market
is a “Uniden BCD-396XT(APCO-25) Digital Radio Scanner.
…you still will not be able to monitor encrypted communications
without permission from the program administrator.

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:48:25 +0000

I’m a former Pensacola resident now in Wyoming where p25 digital is in use by state agencies. You’ll be finding you’re going to spend A LOT more than you estimate. It’s a complicated system that’s not what it claims to be. Research, Research, Research before you go with p25. The only one benefiting from p25 digital radio is Motorola because they sell it.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:42:22 +0000

Hey I will remove the old radios, old coax and duplexers for Free as long as it is on the ground.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:39:49 +0000

Jim is spot on! A lot of these vendors will put the hard sell on municipalities and try to convince them that they need the latest whiz-bang 800 MHz trunking radio system or they will be behind the times. As always, it’s all about the money!

Compared to the $12.5 Million that may be spent (and could end up being more!), it would be insanity not to spend the comparative drop in the bucket that it would cost to have an independent consultant advocating for the county.